Chapter 1

The rain was pouring down in torrents.

Liqiufeng stood in the rain, motionless. He knew that if he moved even slightly, the mysterious figure hidden on the eaves of the grand hall would certainly make a move.

He knew he was no match for this person.

It was the third watch of the night. Although the imperial palace was filled with skilled warriors, Liqiufeng was the only one standing in the rain at this moment.

He did not move, and neither did the person on the eaves.

At that moment, a bolt of lightning suddenly split the dark night sky. In that instant, Liqiufeng saw a man in black standing on the eaves. His face was pale, and his sword was white as snow.

After the lightning, Liqiufeng's vision returned to darkness, but he knew the man in black had already drawn his sword.

In the darkness, a cold and sinister sword aura was approaching his forehead.

Liqiufeng leaped up and drew his knife.

A sharp clang echoed as the knife and sword clashed. A few raindrops were sent flying by the sword aura, striking Liqiufeng's face, causing a burning sensation. More critically, the man in black's sword had shaken his right arm, making it ache. His knife skills, which he had practiced for twenty years, were no match for this single strike.

The sound of the rain.

Liqiufeng held his long knife across his chest and listened intently. He could not fathom why the man in black had come here. Generally, when martial arts experts entered the palace, it was either to assassinate the emperor or to steal treasures. However, this was neither the emperor's bedroom nor the treasury; it was merely the imperial study. Therefore, only one palace guard was on duty each night.

Liqiufeng could not call for help. He knew that in the darkness, his voice would not carry far.

A faint sound, like a thread, cut through the air. Despite the heavy rain, it could not mask the sound of the sword slicing through the air. Liqiufeng's heart sank, and he roared, slicing his long knife in reverse.

The long knife cut through the rain and wind as if slicing through a block of cotton. Liqiufeng was taken aback. At that moment, another bolt of lightning flashed, and the man in black was standing just three feet in front of him, his right hand slowly thrusting the long sword toward his throat. His long knife had been wrapped by the man in black's left sleeve.

Liqiufeng released his knife and shot backward like an arrow. With a thud, he collided with a large pillar in the corridor outside the imperial study. The impact was so great that Liqiufeng's chest ached, and he felt a sweet taste in his throat, almost spitting out a mouthful of blood.

The rain grew even heavier. Liqiufeng saw a glint of cold light before his eyes. He knew it was not lightning but the gleam of the man in black's sword.

Liqiufeng closed his eyes, awaiting death.

A faint sound, and his body was gently pulled to the right. This slight deviation saved his life. The man in black's long sword grazed his throat and pierced into the pillar, the cold sword aura causing him to shiver involuntarily.

"Why have you come to the imperial palace at night?"

Despite the heavy rain, the man's voice was still audible.

Liqiufeng knew he was saved. The person who had arrived was Yang Zhenzhong, the commander of the Jinyiwei, known as the "First Martial Expert of the Imperial Palace." Liqiufeng knew that Yang Zhenzhong's martial arts were far superior to his own. Although the mysterious man in black was highly skilled, he was still inferior to Yang Zhenzhong.

The night was pitch black, and the rain was pouring down. The three of them could not see each other clearly, but none of them dared to be careless.

Lightning flashed.

Liqiufeng suddenly realized that the man in black was standing in front of the pillar, his right hand's long sword still embedded in it. However, with Yang Zhenzhong's sudden appearance, the man in black did not dare to pull out his sword and make a sound, so he stood there like a statue.

Yang Zhenzhong, dressed in a green robe, stood beside Liqiufeng, his hands hidden in his sleeves, looking at the man in black with a half-smile.

The lightning was only a momentary flash, followed by the dark night sky.

"Are you Yan Dufei or Leng Tixin of the Qinghai Three Swordsmen?"

Yang Zhenzhong asked coldly. The Qinghai Sect was located outside the Central Plains, known for its bizarre martial arts and mysterious movements, and was generally not tolerated by the Central Plains martial arts community. However, the Qinghai Sect had many skilled experts, especially the "Three Swordsmen." These three were the personal disciples of the Qinghai Sect's leader, Shi Yunzong. The eldest disciple, Qiao Si'nan, had been missing for many years and was rumored to have died in the Western Regions. Only Yan Dufei and Leng Tixin still occasionally appeared in the martial arts world. Liqiufeng naturally knew their names but did not understand why they had come to the imperial palace at night.

The rain slowed, and the wind had ceased, making it possible to vaguely see the figures.

"I am Leng Tixin. You are Yang Zhenzhong?"

The man in black spoke each word clearly. Yang Zhenzhong laughed and said, "Yes, I am Yang Zhenzhong. Leng Tixin, your name is well-known in Qinghai. Why come to Beijing and get involved in this mess? As a renowned swordsman, I do not wish to make things difficult for you. Leave the palace, and I will pretend I didn't see you."

"I cannot."

Leng Tixin's words were firm as he slowly pulled his long sword out of the pillar. Although the sword had only penetrated a few inches, it was enough to be fatal. Liqiufeng felt a chill, knowing that if Yang Zhenzhong had not intervened, ten Liqiufengs would not have been able to avoid that sword.

"Since you do not wish to leave, I will have to detain you."

Yang Zhenzhong chuckled, his arms trembling. With a whoosh, countless raindrops were sent flying by the force of his sleeves, hitting the walls and pillars with a pattering sound.

"Shattered Sun Palm!"

Leng Tixin was visibly startled. Yang Zhenzhong, who had trained in the Southern Shaolin Temple, later mastered the "Shattered Sun Palm" of the Esoteric School. His internal strength was on par with any of the greatest martial arts experts of the era. Although Leng Tixin had lived in Qinghai for a long time and knew of Yang Zhenzhong's reputation, he had never been defeated and did not take him seriously. However, seeing Yang Zhenzhong's formidable martial arts, he could not help but feel a chill.

"The Qinghai Sect's swordsmanship is unparalleled in the northwest. I will now learn from your exceptional skills. Draw your sword," Yang Zhenzhong said, his hands still hidden in his sleeves, seemingly not taking Leng Tixin seriously.

Leng Tixin grunted, his long sword pointing diagonally at Yang Zhenzhong, but he did not move.

Liqiufeng knew that a battle between two great masters was about to begin and took a few steps back.

The rain had just stopped, and the raindrops from the eaves were still falling.

Yang Zhenzhong, with a half-smile, remained still. Leng Tixin, however, had a serious expression, and his long sword seemed to tremble slightly.

At that moment, a loud crack echoed, and the long window of the imperial study was shattered, a sword light like a coiling dragon darting toward Yang Zhenzhong's back.

Neither Liqiufeng nor Yang Zhenzhong had expected that there was another person hidden in the imperial study.

(End of Chapter)